Your garden in July

Fling the doors open to the garden and head outside! Summer is here and what better way to spend your free time than being outside and enjoying your beautiful flower filled garden. Keep plants looking good by regularly deadheading and you’ll enjoy a longer display of bloom. Make sure you keep new plants well hydrated to get them through those long, hot days and hoe off those pesky weeds, which can thrive in the sunshine. Although this still can be a busy time in the garden, don’t forget to find the time to sit back and relax so that you can enjoy all the hard work you’ve put in to achieve your beautiful display.

FEED, WEED, AND DEADHEAD

Adding a liquid feed to your weekly watering regime will give a much needed boost to hanging baskets, container and borders helping them to produce more flowers and, in some cases encouraging a second flourish of flowers late in the season. Bedding plants, roses and many other perennials will also benefit from regular dead heading.

This will prolong the flowering period making the garden more attractive and will also prevent the plants from putting their energy in to seed heads. Simply pinch off the fading flowers, or for tougher branches use secateurs. Don’t forget to keep weeds down they steal vital moisture and nutrients. Kill them by regularly hoeing borders and vegetable patches. Larger weeds should be dug out or pulled up by hand.

With Hanging baskets a bit of common sense goes a long way. Try lifting a container or basket. Does if feel light or under watered?

How does the compost look? Is it pale and shrunken away from the sides? Dig into the compost with your fingers. Does it feel dry? It should be moist but not dripping wet. During prolonged dry spells, water at least once a day.

SPEND SOME LAZY HOURS IN THE GARDEN

PLANT OF THE MONTH: Salvia

A member of the sage family. Salvias are diverse group of plants ranging from annuals to herbaceous perennials and herbs

Why should you plant them?

With flowers that are popular with wildlife, they not only deliver colour and fragrance but are also great at attracting bees and butterflies. Salvias are long flowering with the potential to put on a great show from June through much of the summer and in to autumn.

How should you plant them?

Plant in full sun, with very well drained soil, and water well when it’s dry. Trim in the spring to maintain shape and deadhead once the flowers start to fade.